Stevens readies for Castle Point Anime Convention's return to Hoboken

StevensMichele Knotz, a voice actor for a variety of Pokemon characters and other anime shows, is scheduled to make an appearance at the Castle Point Anime Convention in Hoboken on Sunday.

Prepare for anime diehards to descend upon Hoboken on Sunday for 14-hour timespan. Students at Stevens Institute of Technology run the Castle Point Anime Convention, held at 1 Castle Point on campus. The festival, now in its third year, is stocked with anime showings, game tournaments and information panels to feed the obsessions of anime fans. The 32-page program guide, which contains a rather strict policy on weapons, is available online. No projectile, flail or throwing weapons are permitted.

Matt Neuteboom, a student in charge of media relations, said he expects 1,500 to 2,000 attendees this year. In 2009, only 100 guests pre-registered, but more than 1,000 showed up, he said. So far this year, 600 people have signed up in advance.

“Needless to say, the numbers are quite spectacular,” he said. “The entire staff is amazed to see such an exponential increase in interested attendees.

Pre-registration was extended through to today. Online pre-registration is $10 per individual or $40 for a group of five. Tickets will be available on the day of the convention for $14.

The biggest obstacles students face when organizing the festival each year is balancing it with their respective course load during an exam-heavy time of the year, Neuteboom said.